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Buffalo Bills: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 30: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball in the second quarter during NFL game action against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field on December 30, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 30: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball in the second quarter during NFL game action against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field on December 30, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 02: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills in action during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 02: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills in action during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

2. Address the offensive line

The new fiscal year for the NFL begins on March 13, which also signals the start of unrestricted free agency around the league. However, general manager Brandon Beane and the Buffalo Bills have already gotten a head start when it comes to retooling their troubled offensive line.

The team recently added center/guard Spencer Long, who played and started 13 games at both center and left guard for the New York Jets in 2018 but proved to be a disappointment – as evidenced by his grades from Pro Football Focus (subscription required). But he was cut loose after one season after inking a four-year club with the Green and White. And he hopes to reverse a career that has seen his play steadily decline over the last few years.

But back to roughly a year ago. Last offseason, the team lost three vital members of its offensive front. Left tackle Cordy Glenn would be traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, center Eric Wood was forced into retirement due to a neck injury and left guard Richie Incognito stepped away from the game. Meanwhile, new left tackle Dion Dawkins (who actually saw more playing time than Glenn in 2017) took a slight step backward. Fifth-round pick Wyatt Teller played the final eight games of the season and made seven starts at left guard. And free-agent pickup Russell Bodine did start 10 games at center.

Meanwhile, part-time starting center Ryan Groy, right guard John Miller and right tackle Jordan Mills could all test free agency in March. Will there be a massive overhaul this offseason? The Bills allowed 41 sacks and it could have been much worse if Josh Allen didn’t escape the pocket as often as he did.

Next: No. 1

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